My taste buds are gone...

Man, I caught either what Wyatt had, or something from school. I started feeling bad Friday morning. I thought it was just a stuffy nose and would go away, but each day it has slowly gotten worse.

Friday night I sat on the couch, ate Chick Fil A and watched Julie and Julia after a full day home from school taking care of Wyatt who was really sick. Loved the movie by the way.

Saturday I took 26 kids to work with Habitat for Humanity, got my nails done with some church friends and then crashed at home. Andrew brought be McAlisters and a LARGE sweet tea and rented two movies. What an Amazing husband! Then again... crashed.

Today I have felt the worse. I am hoping it is over since I cannot take anymore days from school, or I would rather not. Andrew and I woke up to head to church this morning and it was a chore getting ready. I was exhausted and coughing up a storm. We got to church and our wonderful Friends sent us home and took over my teaching for the 11th grade class. We are very blessed.

Needless to say, Since I have been sick I don't have taste buds. I hate it!!!!!!!! I crave things and can't taste what I am eating. Maybe Ice cream will fix it?!! Have you ever been sick and can't taste anything? It is the worst.

So say a prayer that Wyatt is sooo much better tomorrow, and that I wake up refreshed. GO AWAY ICKYness far away from our home.........

FOOD!

Sunday Night: Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes, Carrots

(chicken breast, potatoes, carrots, 1 can cream of chicken, 1 can rotel, cook everything in crock pot ALL DAY on low)

Monday: Guacamole Turkey Burgers, Fixin's, Chips and Dip

Tuesday: Fajitas, Nachos, Rice and Beans

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza

(we love these!)

Thursday: Spicy Shrimp and Rice, Broccoli

Friday: Mexican Food Out

Saturday Lunch: Sandwhiches, Chips and Dip

Saturday: Dinner Out with Family

Sunday: SUPER BOWL PARTY with THSM - Frito Pie and Cookies

Sick

Ear Infection, Virus in his chest, Fever, Croup.... No Fun! My heart breaks when he is so sick! Say a prayer that my little man gets better QUICKLY!

MEALS

Monday: BBQ Cupcakes, Baked Potatoes, Broccoli
(I went to Bunco last week and did not get to make this meal)

Tuesday: Mexican Cornbread Casserole, Chips & Home-made Salsa

Wednesday: Tuna & Tomato Sandwiches, Chips & Ranch Dip

Thursday: Spaghetti, Salad and Bread

Friday: Family Dinner Out

Saturday Lunch: C-C's Pizza for TOPS Field Trip after Habitat for Humanity Job

Saturday Dinner: MEXICAN Out

Sunday Lunch: Left-overs

Sunday Dinner: Crock Pot Chicken, Potatoes, Carrot's, Squash and Zucchini

Get your Blog ALL PRETTY!

Ashley AKA Great Grabbie is one of my sister's friends from College! She has designed 2 of my blog pages now and is in the process of re-modeling my blog again! I love her, she does some great work and at a good price! Go check out her blog page and look at all the options for your blog home! Blogs are always better when they are pretty!

Ashley also makes cards! I love them... and they are so easy to stick in the mail and send out to friends and family for any event. She made Wyatt's birth announcements, my friend Lynsey's Surprise Party Invitations and Wyatt's 1st Birthday Party Invitations! You can check out her cards here!

Go look at Great Grabbie's Designs and give your Blog a Make-over!

Stuffed Pepper's Recipe

Ingredients:

4 large green peppers
1 lb ground turkey
1 can rotel
pepper
onion salt
1 slice of bread
cheese

Start by cutting the tops off of the peppers and cleaning out the insides. Throw away tops. Place the cleaned peppers in a large skillet of boiling water. Boil the whole peppers for about 10 minutes or until soft.

While peppers are boiling brown meat. Add pepper and onion salt to meat while cooking. After meat is cooked, drain excess liquid from meat.

Place meat back into skillet and add the can of rotel. Let the meat and rotel simmer until the most of the juice is soaked into the meat.

Stand the peppers up on a baking sheet. Fill the peppers with the meat/rotel mixture.

Tear up the slice of bread and place a few pieces on top of each pepper. Then put a dab of butter on top of the bread and sprinkle with cheese.

Cook in the over at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until bread is crispy.

Remove and serve immediately.

I always serve the stuffed peppers with Red New Potatoes. It is one of our favorite meals!!!

Hope you enjoy!

Gettin' Thrifty

Andrew and I have been doing really good when it comes to buying groceries. We have been playing the games! Andrew is now the grocery shopper in our house. Yes... I have an amazing husband. He is way better at this grocery game than I am.

We will have to start taking pictures and showing you guys what we get. But the main stores we shop at are Kroger, Albertsons, CVS, Walgreen's, and Wal-Mart. It is so neat to have your pantry and fridge stocked with so many different things. It makes planning meals easy. At first, things you buy are random... but after a while they all come in handy. Now when I want to make a recipe, I just have to run to the store for 1 or 2 things that might cost a dollar! Love it!!!

Here is our FAVORITE money saver we have found recently.

Kroger has a new ad once a week for buy something and get something free.

Last week it was:

Buy.... 3 boxes of Nutra-grain Bars (which Wyatt eats for breakfast) - $7.00
Get ....1 Gallon of Milk, A dozen eggs, 2 rolls of cold biscuits, a loaf of bread and a package of Gravy ALL FOR FREE

This week:

Buy.... 1 sliced brisket (packaged where it could be frozen, or re-heated) - $10.00
Get..... potato salad, a large BBQ sauce, ranch style beans and a 2-liter drink ALL FOR FREE

We will definitely be doing this weekly! We have basically gotten two free meals from what we bought, and have been able to make many more meals using the other things that came with it! If you have any THRIFTY buys you know about, let us know! I will post the KROGER free meal each week so you and your family can enjoy!

Let's Eat!

Monday: Brisket Sandwiches, Potato Salad, and Ranch Style Beans

Tuesday: Chicken Roll-Ups, Broccoli, Bread and Salad

Wednesday: Pizza and Salad

Thursday: Barbecue Cupcakes, Baked Potatoes, Bread and Salad

Friday: Quick Dinner... Leader Meeting at Church

Saturday: Cooking Night with the Bazaldua's (our Best friends!) - We are going to all cook dinner together at their house. SOO fun! We want to cook something with steps that is yummy.. any ideas or suggestions ??

Sunday: Crock Pot Roast, Potato's and Carrots

* we do not keep dessert in our house, or Andrew and I would eat it for dinner instead of our meal. But we do keep a bag of Oreos in our fridge and many nights after dinner we each clean our plates, put them away and have 1 Oreo each. It hits the spot and it fun to watch Wyatt enjoy it! Nice little treat!

He makes my heart melt....

Today I had a meeting after school. When I walked in the door Andrew was cooking dinner and Wyatt was playing in the living room. I was talking to Andrew, and Wyatt realized that I was home. He peeked his head around the corner and threw is hands in the air. In the sweetest, happiest voices he yelled... "Mmaama...mama!!!"

Yes I almost lost it. Sweet boy has learned my name and loves to use it. But it is moments like these that make my heart melt and I never want to put my little man down!

Meals this week!

Sunday Night: Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans

Monday Night: Stuffed peppers and red potatoes

Tuesday Night: Spaghetti and salad

Wednesday Lunch: R&D Cafe with my ladies! *I had to put this because we get out of school early and as a teacher we don't get to eat lunch out much! :)

Wednesday Night: Chicken Salad Sandwiches and chips

Thursday Night: My Father - In- Laws Concoction - Chili, rotel, ranch style beans over rice

Friday Night: A surprise dinner for a special youth girl!

Saturday Lunch: Sandwiches or Leftovers

Saturday Dinner: Family Dinner Out

Sunday Lunch: Purdy's Hamburger Joint with the Youth Leaders

Sunday Dinner: Crock pot Chicken Tacos, rice and beans

SHALOM

Last night we headed to S&S Tattoo Parlor to get my memorial tattoo in honor of my mom. Here is Andrew and I when we first arrived!
My sweet friend Christy and I!

My stomach was churning and I was sweating bullets at this point. I was so nervous about it hurting. It does hurt, but in a weird way. If I can have a baby without pain meds, I can get a tattoo, right?! Right! :)

Before....

Here goes nothing..... this is the stencil.

Working hard. It took Josh (the tattoo guy) about 20 minutes total. It went by really fast.

The finished product!!! I love it. If you read the post below you will understand the meaning behind it. Josh did a wonderful job. The worst part was when he colored in the design and the closer he got to my pinkie toe, the worse the pain was. But in the end it was worth it!

Josh and I! He is covered in cool tattoos!

Then, Christy, Andrew and I headed to the Blue Goose to meet some of our sweet friends for dinner! It was neat to have them a part of my special night. Above is me and Kathryn!

The Group, The Aylor's, Cobb, Christy, Me and Andrew, and Frush!

My sweet friends. I love them! They are always there to be silly with me and pray for me in a time of need. They are true friends in the Lord. It was special to share this time with them. If you notice above, every time we are together we manage to dress a like. Last night was the color purple, and tall boots! :)

I love my new tattoo. It is a new addition, like a permanent accessory.

I love you Mom!

Bittersweet!

The letters above spell "SHALOM" or peace in English. It goes beyond the meaning of peace between two countries or to make peace as Americans see the word. This is a peace from God.

Friday is 4 years since my mom went to be with Jesus. January 8th is always a bittersweet day for me. I have always thought of this day as something to be joyful in, rather than be filled with sorrow. So tomorrow I am going to get the Hebrew letters - Shalom tattooed on my foot in honor of my mom. I was always nervous about getting a tattoo and I still am. But I have grown so much through this process and to me it seems like another step towards healing. So Me, Andrew, and one of my sweet friends Christy (who has also walked with me through losing a parent since she lost her dad a year ago) are going to the parlor and then my sweet church friends are going to meet up for dinner to celebrate.

I choose the day she passed, not only because it was the day she got to meet Jesus, but it was also the day that I learned who I was in Christ. I truly have become full of Him since my mother's passing and have learned that He is the reason I live. The Lord has healed me, and just like the word Shalom, has made me complete in Him.

"Shar Shalom (prince of peace) is one of the names the bible uses to describe the messiah; Jesus Christ."

Isaiah 9:6 The Son of God is completely perfect in all things.

And because he completely perfect, he has made me complete and has promised to fulfill me all of my days.

So tomorrow say a little prayer for me and rejoice in knowing that my mom is sitting next to Jesus, and he is waiting for all of us to come running to him in open arms every day!

Pictures will follow!

Updates and Pictures!

Well we had an eventful Holiday season. I put several pictures below, but they still do not sum up the crazy time. Starting from November 18th - New Years we went from one party to another. It was a blessing to spend time with family and friends that we love. The picture above is the day Wyatt turned 1! I cannot believe my little man is already a year old. We celebrated by going out to eat with family to Good Eats, home style cooking. Wyatt loves mashed potatoes and macaroni so we thought we would treat him on his special day. Then the following Saturday we had a MASSIVE 1st Birthday Party. It was Camo themed, with camo cake, bounce house and about 50 friends and family. I was in awe by the blessing poured over Wyatt that night and to see how many wonderful people God has placed in our lives to love our little boy.

Wyatt is walking, dancing, and saying several words like; mommy, daddy, ball, dog, baby, hi, go... go... go, and his favorite no, no, no! He uses the word no for everything even if he wants something! He points, blows kisses, waves, gives great hugs, smiles all the time, and has developed the silliest personality. He will giggle and laugh just so you will. He is constantly trying to be a little ham.

On the other hand, Wyatt has become a picky eater. He used to eat everything on his plate or put in front of him. Now we are only able to get him to eat about 5 things on a regular basis. But he loves milk!

Christmas was so much fun this year with Wyatt. He was pretty much only interested in the Christmas Tree, the wrapping and balls. Everything else was looked over. The picture above sums up what he did for a month. All he wanted to do was stare at the tree and take the ornaments off. He would say, Ball.... go?! He also loved reading the Christmas Books and Bible stories about Christmas time.

Wyatt on Christmas morning playing with the wrapping paper instead of his new toys!

It was so fun that we had a white Christmas! When we woke up Christmas morning it was beautiful. He was not so sure about the snow, so we just sat him in it and took a few pictures!

Wyatt's Uncle Travis got him this cute outfit that he wore on Christmas Morning. The scarf was so cute on him. He was a preppy baby!

Wyatt in front of Grandmommy and Granddaddy's Christmas Tree! Christmas morning was hard to keep him still enough to take a picture!

Christmas was wonderful. Christmas Eve Day we spent it with my side of the family, and then went to Grandpa Gesino's house for dinner that night. Christmas Morning we woke up and had our own little family Christmas and then headed to Andrew's parents, where we ate and opened presents. The day after Christmas we spent it with Andrew's dad's family, and Sunday we spent it with my mom's family. It was 4 days full of Christmas! But we loved every bit of it!



Andrew also had a birthday! It is the 28th of December, so we just keep the party rolling! Here is Andrew and Wyatt blowing out a "lighter." We forgot the candles to his cake, so my sister improvised. I have an amazing husband! I cannot believe we are 26 and have spent the last 8 years together, 2 in a half of them being married. I have watched him form into a Godly husband and his love for the Lord grows everyday. I am blessed to have him lead our family! Hope you had a wonderful birthday babe!

Wyatt and Ellie Jane! They are best friends! While celebrating Andrew's birthday,they decided to play with some brushes. Ellie used hers to brush her hair and Wyatt used his as a chew toy! :)

My Sweet little man!

Bath Time for Ellie Jane and Wyatt. Don't you love how the cup was in the perfect place in the picture above! :)
In the picture below, Wyatt looks so much like his daddy. This is also a face of a little boy who knows he is playing with something he is not supposed to. :)

Wyatt has a love for books. He received soo many on his birthday since we asked for everyone to bring a book instead of a card! It is fun to have all theses books with names of the people who love signed in the cover. Every night before bed we read a bible story out of his baby bible book, and the I let him grab one off the shelf to read. This is probably one of my favorite times during the day with him!

I just had to add this picture to the bunch. This was taken the other day. If you look closely you can see ALL the curls coming out the side and back of his hat. Wyatt's hair is getting soo long and his curls are soo cute. I am not sure I will be able to cut them, and for sure am not going to do it any time soon!

There are just a few of the pictures from the last two months. If I added ALL of them we would be here for days! Since I am determined to keep my blog updated, I will be able to add more pictures as we go! :)

Goodbye 2009... Hello 2010

WOW... I have not blogged in a long time. I am excited for the new year. 2009 was a full year, very busy! Andrew and I have taken on several responsibilities this year and know the Lord is leading us in wonderful new ways.

Here are a few of my resolutions for 2010:

Get Healthy and In Shape (everyone says this.... I am determined)

SLOW DOWN

Spend more quality time with friends and family.

Keep in touch with people.

Learn to say NO!!!!

Have Weekly outings or assigned FAMILY time with Wyatt and Andrew!!!

GROW more in the Lord.

Take Cake Decorating Classes.

Take Cooking Classes... i love to cook

Scrapbook Wyatt's WHOLE first year.

Invest more in the lives of my youth girls.




2009 was not only a hard year, but wonderful things happened as well. I learned a lot about myself this last year and some were not so wonderful:

I learned that I cannot do everything and sometimes I need to stop and take time to sit and be with the Lord.

I learned to relax and do a little something for myself sometimes. Without this I lost myself in doing things for others.

I have fallen in LOVE with motherhood!!!! Wyatt is amazing and this first year of his life has been what has brought me so much joy. We are truly blessed by him daily and thank the Lord for such a wonderful son regularly.

I have learned to be more assertive and not let everything "go." This was huge for me and I think it was one of the areas in my life where the Lord was teaching me most.

I have made LONG LASTING relationships with several ladies and would not trade their friendship for the world.

I learned that I am not even close to being healed from loosing my mother.

I have fallen in love with my husband more and more everyday. He has held me through this tough year.

I have fallen in love with my relationship with my mother in law drastically this year. She has stood next to me this first year of motherhood and she is like a best friend and mother to me.

My heart for missions has grown EXPONENTIALLY.

My love for students has grown.

I have learned that I am NOT supposed to teach in a "classroom" forever. Students, teaching are in the picture somewhere though.... if that makes sense, just not sure the plans.

I have become obsessed with Sweet Tea.

I learned that some relationships must be withdrawn from your life to be healthy in the Lord.

I learned I cannot fix everything or everybody.... the Lord is the only one winning that game.

I learned to show my love to people.... outright, blatantly.... :)


Those are just a few things. You will hear more. I PROMISE to keep up. Pictures of Wyatt are to come. He is soo big!